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Thursday, May 5, 2016

Fabulous Feature-Sarah Sundin-Once Terrified, Now Triumphant

Today we welcome author:

Sarah Sundin

A commenter will win a copy ofSarah's book:Anchor in the Storm

Scroll down to see how.

Mary here. I'm so happy to welcome Sarah to Let's Talk. I've seen Sarah at a conference. She is such a nice person. Image having the perfect career then hearing God call you to another. This is what Sarah is sharing with us today. I asked Sarah: how has God led you on your writing journey? Here is what she said:

Once Terrified, Now Triumphant

“I have something strange to tell you.” I couldn’t face my husband,
and my stomach flopped around like our toddler son when I dressed him. “I’m
writing a novel.”

A novel? Why on earth was I writing a novel? I majored in chemistry
and became a pharmacist. I worked one day a week and stayed home with our three
young children. I barely had time to dress myself much less write a novel.

Yet I did.

Only the Lord could have changed the direction of my life so
suddenly. I had plans. When the kids started school, I wanted to gradually
increase my hours until I could work full time. Then I’d enjoy the pharmacy career
I’d dreamed of, that I’d studied for…that I loved.

God had different plans. That January morning in 2000, He woke me with
a dream. A story. The rest of the day, the story flew together while I ran
carpools and changed diapers and did laundry. Within days, I knew I had to
write it down. Worse, I had to tell my pragmatic pharmacist husband.

The Lord held my hand through this process. Over and over, He sent
little signs to show me this was indeed the road He wanted me to travel. He
sent Bible verses, songs, heart-piercing words from friends, and even a
surprise open cockpit day at an aviation museum. Whenever I doubted or sank
into fear, He gave another push.

In 2003, I attended the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference
for the first time. My work would be seen by professionals, and I was
terrified. While preparing, I taught my Sunday school students about Moses and
the burning bush. Moses gives the Lord half a dozen excellent reasons not to
send him, until the Lord finally commands him: “‘Now go; I will help you speak
and will teach you what to say’” (Exodus 4:12). That was my theme verse for the
conference. I didn’t receive a contract that year—nor for another five
years—but I received more confirmation.

Now that toddler is graduating from high school. I still work
on-call at the same hospital. I still teach that Sunday school class. And my
eighth published novel hit the shelves this week.

Only
the Lord could make that happen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarah
Sundin is the author of eight historical novels, including Anchor in the Storm. Her novel Through
Waters Deep was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10
Years,” and her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
in Where Treetops Glisten was a
finalist for the 2015 Carol Award. A mother of three, Sarah lives in
California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a
chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new
job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg’s attentions only
annoy—even if he is her brother’s
best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German
U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East
Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with
their nerves—and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large
prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer
that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enter the contest to win Sarah's book:

Anchor in the StormUS readers invited to enter!!

Here is how:

1. Leave a comment (and email address)

2. AND sign up to receive my newsletter -in the right column

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Thank you, Sarah, for joining us this weekend!

We enjoy chatting with you, Reader, and look forward to reading your comments and questions. Or at least your hi, hello, or hey.

18 comments:

Tami, So nice to meet you! I enjoy WWII historical's as well. I hope you get a chance to read Sarah's book soon. Be sure to let us know what you think of the story! We love to chat with readers here. Be sure to stop back!

Thanks Mary Vee and Sarah for this wonderful post! It really inspired me! Right now I'm a cashier,but I dream of doing something different.Unfortunately I've let fear stand in the way. This post has inspired me to let God guide me! Also want to say thank you Sarah for your wonderful books!

Lynne, You are a golden treasure, way more than you could know. I have cashiered...God used the time to teach me a wealth about the Christian life. My conclusion? Everyone needs to be a cashier at some point in their life. I have such respect for you and fully understand how your feet hurt at the end of a shift, how your hands are dirty from the ink of the money--how you smile when a man buys flowers for his wife or a mom buys her child a toy. Until God shows you a new direction. know that God loves you and is so happy you are His child.

Hi Lynne! I'm so glad this touched you. Fear is a crippler. There's a reason "Do not fear" is the most common command in the Bible...because it's such a common problem. I'm a worrywart by temperament and upbringing, and I've had to fight it all my life. My favorite story in the Bible is of Gideon - the coward's hero. He went out with fear and trembling, but he went OUT! If the Lord is calling you to do something, step out, shaking and terrified - but He'll get you through.

By the way, I so agree with Mary that EVERYONE should work as a cashier so they'll treat cashiers with respect. I did my stint at Carl's Jr. ;)

Maxie, there you are. I've missed you. So happy you had a chance to stop in this weekend. Of course we saved a seat for you, a special one with WWII deco :) I knew you'd put a smile on all the faces of those who came. I'm ditto with you, had family members in other wars. Brings a connection to a good book like Sarah's, that's for sure..

That is so nice of you. So which of her books did you like the most? Historical novels make great reads. I like them because it's a fun way to engage in history. Not to mention the story itself is a delight to read.I'm so glad you going Sarah and me today.

Hi Mary and Sarah. After two hard days of yard work (not complaining because I love to "dig in the dirt"), I am able to join your virtual tea party. Sarah, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on fear and conquering it and aren't we blessed that you were successful? Lynne Feuerstein, you are performing a valuable service and I have the utmost respect for you. I have never been a cashier or waitress but I always try to encourage those I come in contact with because I know, as a former librarian, that our customers and patrons should always be satisfied but they can also be difficult to please.Mary, thanks again for letting us talk.Blessings and Happy Mother's Day!Conniecps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Hi Connie,Your yard looks wonderful, by the way. I see you brought your sunshine to the group. I have never been a librarian, although, I think it would be the most awesome job ever. All those books. People coming to you for recommendations. Others who need your help to find the right resource. Wow. I can imagine a lot of positives.

And sad to say, like for cashiers, I have seen some cranky pants take out their frustrations on the librarian.

Now you get to garden by day (well, summertimes) and read by night. Such a deal! I hope you get a chance to read Sarah's latest book soon. I think you'll enjoy it.

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According to new FTC rules I must let you, the reader know, that all views shared on this blog are strictly my own. Books to review are either provided for me by the author, publisher or ones I have purchased and I am under no obligation whatsoever to present anything, but my true opinion on any product. I receive no monetary compensation for anything written on this blog. Any giveaways on this blog are provided by the author/ publisher and I am not responsible for any views they express in their work or on this site. Giveaways are void were prohibited and chances of winning are based on the number of applicants. A random winner is drawn when a book is given away.